Adelaide has reportedly offered All-Australian midfielder Matt Crouch a multi-year deal to remain with the club.
Crouch, a restricted free agent, hasn’t played all season with groin issues, but AFL Media’s Cal Twomey is reporting that the Crows have tabled the offer.
The report goes on to add that rival clubs feel the 26-year-old would be gettable, but determining his value has been difficult given his injury.
Kane Cornes feels a two or three-year offer is exactly what the Crows should be proposing.
“That’s a good offer from Adelaide, I believe,” Cornes told SEN SA Breakfast.
“Two to three years is reasonable, it’s respectful.
“If he wants to try and get a four or five-year deal like his brother (Brad) did, that’s fine and I think the Crows wish him well.
“But to think they’ve put that offer to him, it’s a good offer and exactly what I would have offered in their list management position.”
Crouch played in the SANFL on the weekend, picking up 28 disposals against North Adelaide.
Given the lockdown in South Australia, the SANFL is set to be paused and the Crows must decide whether to play the midfielder at the top level, potentially earlier than previously expected.
“I wouldn’t play him at AFL level because I don’t think he’s ready to go, but there’s no SANFL footy so what do you do?” Cornes added.
“I’d be putting him through a significant match simulation, try and get it as close to match intensity as you can, which you can never really replicate.
“To see him only kick the ball six times on the weekend was a bit of a concern. I don’t know if he has full confidence in his groins and his body.
“I’d give him a bit more time to get his conditioning up for the final three or four games of the season.”
Adelaide takes on Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night, with the game relocated due to the South Australian lockdown.
